BY DAVE HUTCHINSON
Star-Ledger Staff
Jets second-year WR Jonathan Carter is emerging as the feel-good story of their lost season after his coming-out party against the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, when he set a club record with 304 all-purpose yards.
Full Story
Carter, an ex-Giants' draft choice, has waited patiently for his opportunity since being a fifth-round pick in 2001 out of Troy State. Despite showing flashes during two preseasons with the Giants, he was their fifth receiver and never really got a shot.
He spent most of the 2001 season on the Giants practice squad before being signed to the active roster for the final two games.
Last season, Carter was waived by the Giants on Oct. 8, 2002. His career stats: nine kickoff returns, 18.8-yard average, no TDs. No receptions.
He was claimed by the Jets the following day, but was inactive for the final 11 regular-season games and both playoff games.
This season, Carter was inactive for three of the first four games. He was activated in a youth movement following the Jets' bye week but was a non-factor for the first three games.
Though it all, Carter, known for his blistering speed and dental-floss thin legs, never uttered a disparaging word about the Giants or his situation with the Jets. When asked about being frustrated, he always said he was just waiting for his opportunity.
Ironically, that opportunity came on Nov. 2 against the Giants when Jets kick returner Michael Bates broke his hand. In that game, Carter returned four kickoffs, averaging 23.8 yards. The following week against Oakland, he returned three kickoffs for a 22.7-yard average. He had no receptions in either game.
Then came the Colts' game.
Carter's first career reception was a 62-yard touchdown from QB Chad Pennington on a go-pattern in the first quarter. Then, early in the third quarter, he showed his blazing speed on a 90-yard kickoff return for a TD. He also had kickoff returns of 39 and 42 yards. He finished with 242 yards on six returns and the 62-yard TD catch.
Carter became the 30th player in NFL history to gain 300 all-purpose yards in a game. He did it with the fewest touches -- six returns and one catch.
With WR Wayne Chrebet (concussion) done for the season and veteran Kevin Swayne struggling, Carter has moved into the No. 3 slot and may have found a NFL home with the receiver-poor Jets.
"It's a tribute to Jonathan because he has stayed focused over the play year-and-a-half and waited his turn," Pennington said. "He got a chance to do a lot of good things (vs. Indianapolis) and he did."